Chicago is one of my favorite places to visit. However, it can be expensive. If you are planning a trip to Chicago, here are a few practical ways to help you enjoy the city and stay on budget.

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My first and most money saving tip is to stay outside of the city. Yes, staying in a hotel in the city is fun, but there are nice hotels outside of the city that cost much less. (And sometimes you even get more, like free hot breakfast and free parking.)

Also, consider using Airbnb. Airbnb has so many listings, from rooms, to apartments, to houses. You can rent a house or apartment for the same price or sometimes even less than a hotel. House rentals are great for extended stays or when traveling with a lot of people. Everyone can get their own room, and be in the same house together. Sign up here, and receive $40 to use toward your first Airbnb stay! Sign up is free.

The second tip is to use public transportation. Taking the train into the city and taking the train, bus, cab, or walking while downtown will be much cheaper than paying for parking. Plus, you get to experience the city more this way. Check out the Metra Rail website to find out information about ticket passes and discounts.

The third tip to saving money is to use City Pass. City Pass will save you so much money if you plan to visit more than one of these places: